Family brunch at Betsy’s sister's for Father’s Day. Idea was a food representing everyone’s father. Benton’s country ham, lemony potatoes, bruschetta, cheese (Von Trapp Oma, Prairie Ridge cheddar, and a washed rind from Jasper Hill), kale salad, pickles. Not a geek crowd, so I thought a NV Ponson 1er Cru would be easy and appropriate. Threw bottle in bag, opened at Kath’s, and then realized I had brought (and opened) the geeky wine I had intended for Ibiza that night. Oops.
NV Pierre Peters Oubliee (2009 base, 2015 dg)
Rich, creamy, full with apple, toffee, and lemon pastry. Good but I don’t think Peters or even BdB would have come to mind if blind. Heavier style. B/B+
That night Betsy had to beg off with an eye infection, but I went to meet friends at Ibiza in Chappaqua. Megan and Marcus from Goodfellow Cellars, plus nice assortment of NYers. We did tapas omakase, with shrimp croquettas, gazpacho with olive oil ice cream, stuffed peppers, garlic shrimp (too salty!), eggplant with romesco, goat cheese canapes, grilled bomba rice with tomato topping, langoustines, duck, pork with green pepper, sea bass, and some dishes I’ve forgotten.
2014 Agrapart Venus Brut Nature BdB Champagne
Replacement for the Peters, and happy I chose. Snappy acids, fine mousse, crisp flavors of grapefruit and green apple with long minerally finish. A-
NV Goodfellow Whistling Ridge BdB Brut
Very tasty (once chilled),Crisp pear, white peach, some flint and almond. Nice texture, finish. B+
NV Bouchard (Rose de Jeanne) Vilaine Brut
(don’t know dg/base). Peach, apple, leather, some toast, I like less than others did, B
2001 Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese (375)
Nice acids, tropical fruit, honied finish, the acid keeps this interesting. Not a big Loosen fan but really enjoyed this B+
2000 Lafon Clos de la Barre Meursault
Wonderful showing for a village wine at 24. Fresh pear, white flowers, just a light touch of hazelnuts and marzipan. Greg felt didn’t gain enough complexity, but I really enjoyed. A-
2020 Neillon Clos de la Maltroie Chassagne-Montrachet 1er
A little matchstick, peach and green apple, good minerals, maybe not the cut of the 2020 Vergers few weeks ago but very nice,. B+
2009 Lamy Tremblots Puligniy-Montrachet(375)
New vineyard to me. Pear, butterscotch, honey, vanillin oak, richness of vintage shows but not flabby,. B+/B
2010 Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Rioja Gran Reserva Rosado
I love that the rose is a GR. And deserves it. Citrus peel, watermelon, cherry, more savory than sweet flavors, onionskin. Different and lovely. A-
2016 Thibaud Boudignon Clos de la Hutte Savennieres
Apple, qui\nce, wax. Excellent acids, nice length, nice surprise. B+/A-
1982 La Rioja Alta 890 Rioja Gran Reserva
This doesn’t have the weight and depth of the ‘81 890, but I really enjoy it. Artomatic. Elegant red fruits (cherry and raspberry), leather, with a little hint of sandalwood. Resolved tannins, godo acids, nice length. B+/A-
2020 Lignier Clos St Denis
Floral, lighter framed, nice black raspberry fruit and some herbal notes. Tasty, but seems a little withdrawn at moment. B/B+?
Really fun night, good showings by the wines, marred only by Betsy’s absence. I think I actually missed a Goodfellow Riesling and possibly one other wine. Thanks Mark for organizing.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.